QD Group, based in Norwich, has bought The Barn Garden and Aquatic Centre in Peterborough. The purchase makes it the joint eighth biggest garden centre group by stores in the UK, with 11 Cherry Lane stores.

The store, now known as The Barn by Cherry Lane Garden Centres, has transferred all staff over to the QD Group. There are also improvements planned at the premises including the creation of new departments and expansion of its seasonal and gardening ranges.

Chief executive of QD Group Nick Rubins said: ?The acquisition of The Barn is another great landmark in the ongoing growth of QD and the success of our Cherry Lane Garden Centres.?

Mark Care, store manager at The Barn, said: ?The QD Group has a great record in running garden centres and we?re very excited about this transition.?